Callander Thistle step up to Quality Mark Level

Callander Thistle have been recognised for their valuable contribution to grassroots football.

Hugh Devlin, Mike Kerr and Simon Longworth were presented with the Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award by Alex Smith MBE, Assistant Head Coach of Falkirk F.C at a local coaches in-service at Stirling University.

The Award, part of the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and The Big Lottery Fund, recognises pro-active clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation. Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.

Mike Kerr and Hugh Devlin from the club said: “We both feel that by being Awarded the Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award is a great achievement for the Club and also highlights recognition of all the hard work and effort put into the running of the Club by all volunteers involved. This award will now enable the Club to strive forward even further in development of football in the local Community.

Active Stirling Football Development Officer Scott Kinross said: “Callander Thistle have worked extremely hard over the past year in relation to the Quality Mark Award and are now seeing the benefits for doing so. The club has shown growth with the recruitment of new players and the creation of new teams to their existing structure which is great with them being a rural club, it is important for players to have the opportunity to play football in their local area”.

Alex Smith added “ It is great to see a local club getting recognition for the hard work and effort they put into developing the kids. The game would not be the same if it wasn’t for the hard work that these volunteers do at grass roots level.”

Through the scheme, McDonald’s and the Scottish FA aim to provide support to grassroots clubs and schools across Scotland as they strive to broaden youth and community participation and to enhance player, coach and volunteer development.

The Quality Mark scheme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which contributes to the employment of all Scottish FA club development staff, as well as discounted coach education and first aid courses for grassroots volunteers. The Big Lottery Fund is a key Scottish FA partner, contributing £6m to the delivery of the Scottish FA Youth Action Plan.

For further information on the Scottish FA Quality Mark programme, please click on the link to the right or contact our Football Devlopment Managers: